North Carolina Wrestling Scout Report

The Top Prospect list is for North Carolina high school seniors only. Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors are not included on this list. Wrestlers and fans are encouraged to send results, profiles and other information that will help with the Top Prospect rankings. My email has been changed. Please send any information to: Ronnie Sigmon This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

(1) Jacob Creed, 3A Ragesdale - 141/149lbs (44-0) 1^st,1^st,1^st

Jacob Creed heads the Top Prospect list for the preseason. Creed was undefeated in the 2007-08 season, including a win over three time state champion Cory Mock. Creed is on track to become one of North Carolina’s elite four-time state champions this season. He starts the season currently holding the consecutive win streak for current North Carolina wrestlers with 75 wins. Creed possesses very good takedown skills and he wrestles well from top and bottom. Jacob comes from a wrestling family his brother, Jesse, was a three-time state champion for Ragesdale.

Mock is another three-time state champion and is not afraid to put his record at risk. The last couple of years he has bumped up a weight class to challenge top competition. His only in state loss last year was when he bumped up a weight class to wrestle Jacob Creed. Last spring Mock placed 7^th at the NHSCA Junior Nationals. He has good all round wrestling skills and perhaps is the best scrambler in the state. Mock should become a four-time state champion in February. Corey is the son of NCAA Champion and current UNC Chapel Hill wrestling coach CD Mock.

(3) Eloheim Palma, 4A Cary - 285lbs (51-0) SQ,1^st,1^st

Palma is by far the best big man in North Carolina. Last year he he easily beat previously undefeated Tyler Shatley in the 4A state finals. Last spring he placed second at the NHSCA Junior Nationals losing a close 3-2 decision to New York state champion Ken Altarac. Eloheim is the brother of former NC State University HWT Jainor Plama.

(4) Johnny Watson , INDP. Forsyth Country Day (149lbs) 3^rd,1^st,1^st,1^st

Watson is a three-time independent school state champion placing third as an eighth grader. Watson placed fourth in the prestigious Prep Nationals in 2008 and he is a three-time NCUSA Fargo team member. Watson has a lot to offer as a college wrestler, good mat skills, a good student and he has willingness to compete in the off season in national events.

(5) Gabe Brotzman, 4A Cary - 157lbs (46-3) 6^th,SQ,2^nd

Brotzman was a state runner-up last season losing only two matches to an instate opponent (graduated state champion Nick Gregoris). Brotzman was a NCUSA Fargo team member in 2008 where he won three matches. In his first freestyle match Bortzman defeated Dirk Cowburn of Pennsylvania. With each wrestler having won a period Brotzman pinned Cowburn in the third period to win the match. Cowburn was a 2007 Cadet Freestyle National Champion, 2008 Junior Greco National Runner-up and a undefeated Pennsylvania 2008 high school state champion. Brotzman is a superb mat wrestler with good takedown skills. He also has Ivey League type grades with a 3.75 unweighted GPA along with a 1990 SAT score.

(6) Gray Gerald , 4A Wakefield - 157lbs (32-3) SQ,DNP, 4^th

Gerald placed 8th at the Super 32 last season where he injured his shoulder. During the 2007-08 season Gerald was out of action due to the injury or wrestling injured. Even though he still managed to compile a good record and placed fourth at the state tournament. Gerald had surgery in the spring and now appears ready to challenge for a state championship. Gerald brings a lot of potential to a college wrestling room and the class room. In high school he carries a 4.25 GPA and a 1940 SAT score.
(7) Brett Boston , 4A - 125/133lbs Freedom (49-1) 3^rd,3^rd

Boston is a two-time NCUSA Fargo National Team member (2006 and 2007)and wrestles extensively in the off season. Last season he competed at 119lbs and should be at 125lbs for the 2008-09 season. Boston’s only loss last season was a close decision to three-time state runner-up Ian Coggin. Boston is a strong contender for a state championship this coming season. Boston is very coachable and a hard worker. Last spring he finished 9-3 in the association division of the Disney Duals.
(8) Timdarious Thurston, 3A High Point Andrews - 125lbs (55-0) 4^th,1^st

Thurston was an undefeated state champion last season at 103lbs. Thurston placed 4^th at the NHSCA Junior Nationals last spring. This year he appears to be about 119lbs. He should be able to hold down the 125lb weight class for several years in college.

(9) Luis Ramos , Parkland (141/149lbs) 5^th,3^rd,2^nd

Ramos is a hard working wrestler that seems to get better every year. The three-time state place winner lost a 4-1 decision to top ranked Jacob Creed in the 3A state final in 2008. These two could face off again in 2009. Ramos is a wrestler that can beat anyone on a given day. In the last two years he has beaten Johnny Watson during the high school season and Jacob Creed in an off season match. Ramos is also a great student in the classroom. He is at the top of his class in class rank and has a 4.75 GPA.

.(10) Christian McLean, 3A SW Guilford - 197/285lbs (44-1) SQ,1^st

McLean won his first state championship by pinning all four of his opponents at the state tournament in 2008. McLean has all of the tools needed to be a successful college wrestler.

(11) Joe Shivey, 3A Enka - 141lbs (50-8) 4^th,5^th,5^th

Shivey lost to Ramos in the state semi-final match last season by locking hands in the last couple of seconds in the ultimate tie breaker. Shivey is a three-time state place winner and a two-time NCUSA Fargo team member.

(12) Brandon Hodges, 3A Ragesdale - 133/141lbs (51-4) 3^rd

Hodges only lost to two North Carolina wrestlers in 2008. He could win a state championship in 2009.

(13) Dakota Holt, 2A McMichael - 133lbs (55-7) SQ,1^st

Holt was a NCUSA Fargo team member and competed in numerous off season tournaments in 2007. This hard work helped to enable him to win his first high school state championship in 2008. Holt is also a two-time state greco champion. He is a member of the National Honor Society, the Beta club and is an eagle scout.

(14) Patrick Nelms, 3A Piedmont - 125lbs (45-4) 3^rd, 2^nd

Nelms is a two-time state place winner who competes in numerous folk style tournaments in the off season. He has the technique, strength and quickness to become a solid college wrestler.

(15) Cody Matheney, 2A Shelby - 149/157lbs (44-2) SQ,4^th,3^rd

Matheney was a NCUSA Fargo team member in 2007. In the last two high school state tournaments he placed 4^th in 2007 and 3^rd in 2008.

(16) Vincent Beam, Wilkes Central 184/197lbs - (35-6) 1^st

Beam won his first state championship in 2008.

(17) Evan Baker , 4A Scotland County Co. - 174lbs (50-3) 6^th,2^nd

Baker placed 6^th in 2007 and was a state runner-up last season.

(18) Shawn Swing, West Davidson - 165lbs (35-8) 5^th,2^nd

Swing is a two-time state place winner finishing as a state runner-up in 2008.

(19) Justin Vaughn, 3A Williams - 125/133lbs (35-4) SQ,SQ,3^rd

Vaughn is an athletic and solid wrestler. He was a 2007 NCUSA Fargo team member.

(20) Chris Hill, 3A Mooresville - 174lbs (23-4) 3^rd

Hill placed 3^rd last season.